"I want to state this clearly: the United States and Israel independently and confidentially decided when to intervene . Germany and France said they were not notified, but we were informed after the initiative was underway." This was the statement made by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, during a hearing with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto before the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, for an urgent briefing on the situation in Iran and the Persian Gulf.
"Our compatriots in the region are our absolute priority , and I want to reiterate my appeal to the political forces: unity, responsibility, and balance must prevail; this is what our fellow citizens ask of us," Tajani added, explaining that there are 70,000 Italians in the area, including residents, workers, students, and tourists, but "no Italians were involved in the attacks." Regarding Dubai and other Gulf countries, Italians "are safe," and flights are being arranged for them to return to Italy, as well as "corridors" to other countries to organize their repatriations. Priority, Tajani explained, is given to underage students.
In the same hearing, Tajani also reviewed the situation of Italian contingents deployed in the Middle East (including the Dimonios of the Sassari Brigade in Lebanon ), explaining: "As for our military personnel, over three hundred Air Force officers are at the base in Kuwait hit by Iranian missiles. They are safe in bunkers, and all are unharmed. Also in Iraq, near Iraqi Kurdistan, a missile fell a short distance from a base where Italian and American soldiers are present. There were no consequences." He continued: "Our contingents are safe in Lebanon, Jordan, and other deployment areas."
"The Italian government will continue to do its part. With clarity. With determination. With a sense of responsibility. Even when it seems distant. Every crisis requires dialogue and negotiation. We will continue to work tirelessly so that that moment arrives as soon as possible," Tajani concluded.
